Window change agreed

PREMIER League clubs agreed to close the summer transfer window on the day before the start of the 2018-19 season at a tense meeting.

Needing a two-thirds majority, or 14 clubs, to shut the window early, the idea’s backers just got the votes they needed, with Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Manchester United, Swansea and Watford opposed, while Burnley abstained.

This means clubs will not be allowed to register any new players after 5pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018, although they will be able to sell players to clubs in leagues where the window is still open, as case.

The decision followed weeks of debate about the uncertainty caused to managers and players by three weeks of transfer activity and speculation at the start of a new campaign.

There is also the potential threat to the league’s competitive integrity caused by cases such as Alex OxladeChamberlain playing for Arsenal against Liverpool and then joining the Anfield club five days later, while other players linked with moves often get injured and are unavailable.

These points did not is currently the convince every club, though, with several concerned about closing the window earlier than other European leagues, as there’s a chance they could lose players to foreign suitors and not be able to replace them.

In fact, the chairmen of City, United and Swansea voted against the move despite their managers publicly revealing their support for closing the window before the season-opener.

Swansea head coach Paul Clement said: “I welcome it. My view has been further reinforced because it got crazy towards the final days.”

Philippe Coutinho